NOVEL NEXT Chapter 103: Mutated Lord
Thanks to this methodical effort, the zombie population was dwindling at a visible pace. Block after block was declared zombie-free. Over a million undead had been eliminated, and supplies were being hauled back to the steel mill and Tribeca by the truckload.
Survivors encountered during the operation were carefully screened. Young adults and women were moved to the industrial zone, while the elderly, sick, and disabled were taken to the prison. Those found guilty of cannibalism or resisting authority were executed on the spot. With these measures, the population of the industrial zone had swelled to over 1,100 people—more than 800 women and just over 300 men. Meanwhile, the prison housed more than 300 of the old, weak, and infirm. Under Antonny's guidance, the prison had started to achieve self-sufficiency. Mechanical dogs protected the area, while prisoners cultivated fields surrounding the facility.
Surprisingly, despite the apocalyptic circumstances, certain crops managed to thrive in NYC's urban landscape. Leafy greens like kale and spinach, along with root vegetables such as radishes and carrots, had been carefully cultivated in rooftop gardens and repurposed urban lots. These crops were chosen not only for their adaptability to smaller spaces but also for their short growing cycles and high nutritional value.
When the autumn harvest arrived, these urban farms would provide a sustainable source of fresh produce. The leafy greens were particularly effective at growing in hydroponic setups inside abandoned skyscrapers, where controlled environments allowed for consistent yields. Root vegetables thrived in shallow soil beds built in repurposed parks and playgrounds, their resilience to variable soil conditions making them ideal for post-apocalyptic farming.
NYC was rapidly transforming into a massive survivor base. However, its core purpose wasn't what it seemed—it was essentially a large-scale production hub, churning out resources to serve Zack's ambitions. Supplies flowed endlessly into his hands, becoming steel armor, Ant and Spiders, bullets, and missiles.As the Ant and Spiders continued their systematic sweep of the city, Zack's ultimate plan was nearing fruition. Once the city was fully cleared, he could harness its resources and bring his wild vision to life—moving his base into the sky.
But just as things seemed to be progressing smoothly, an unexpected development occurred. At the city's warehouse, a section yet to be cleared by the Ant and Spiders, thousands of zombies of various shapes and sizes had gathered in the warehouse district. The scene was horrifying—mutant zombies were crammed into container-filled warehouses, with Lord spotted throughout the horde.
They seemed drawn by something. Inside one of the largest warehouses, a thick, unsettling fog lingered in the air. At the center of it all was a grotesque tumor-like structure, resembling a twisted tree trunk, with countless tentacle-like roots stretching in all directions. If Zack were there, he would've recognized it instantly. This was no ordinary tumor—it was a high-level zombie embryo, similar to the one he found at the nuclear power plant. However, this one had grown significantly, pulsating with a life of its own. From inside the Sarcoma came a muffled thumping sound, like a heartbeat, and through its translucent surface, a massive humanoid figure, three to four meters tall, could be seen struggling to break free.
The surrounding zombies were transfixed by the tumor. As if responding to an unspoken command, they clawed and bit at its surface, tearing away chunks of decayed flesh with manic fervor. Meanwhile, a squad of Ant and Spiders arrived near the area, methodically eliminating zombies in the area. The steady crack of machine gun fire filled the air as bullets tore through the undead. When a Ant and Spider ran out of ammo, it would retreat to a supply truck driven by workers, reload, and head back into the fray.
This grueling cycle had been ongoing for days. Ant and Spiders were destroyed, only for reinforcements to arrive and continue the fight. These relentless machines had proven their value over the past two weeks, capable of taking down any type of zombie, even lord, using crossfire tactics and tungsten-core armor-piercing rounds. As the mechanical squad pushed closer to the warehouse, one of the mechanical dogs, equipped with a life detector, scanned the building. It immediately detected thousands of strong biological signals inside. "132XX1, 51XX1: Mutant creature gathering point detected. Requesting fire support."
The mechanical dog transmitted its findings to the rest of the network. Communication between the machines was seamless—silent electronic signals exchanged at lightning speed. "Execute tactics. Crossfire bombing. Switch ammunition: armor-piercing rounds."
The response was swift. The mechanical squad split into two groups. One group moved back to higher ground, securing elevated firing positions and deploying missile launchers. The second group advanced toward the warehouse, switching to tungsten-core bullets. Other nearby Ant and Spiders finished clearing zombies in their sectors and began converging on the area. "Arrived at firepower point. Initiating bombardment."
Four spiders and a mechanical dog advanced to within 20 meters of the warehouse. As they closed in, a signal was sent. "Missiles ready. Launching now."
The five Ant and Spiders stationed on the high ground responded instantly, firing a barrage of micro-missiles into the sky. Like blazing arrows, the missiles streaked toward the warehouse's steel roof. Boom! Boom!
The first two missiles punched through the roof, creating gaping holes. A second wave of missiles followed, raining destruction into the warehouse below. Boom-boom-boom-boom!
Explosions ripped through the structure, engulfing it in flames. A massive fireball erupted, reducing the warehouse to a burning inferno. Mutant zombies inside were incinerated or blown apart, their charred remains scattered across the area. "Life signals detected. Engage!"
Even before the flames died down, the mechanical dog issued the command. The heavy machine guns roared to life, unleashing a relentless torrent of tungsten-core bullets into the blazing wreckage. Through the flames, The Zombie Lord—its body engulfed in fire—let out a thunderous roar and charged forward. The Ant and Spiders didn't flinch. Their concentrated gunfire tore through the creature's defenses, bringing it down before it could close the distance. "The life signal persists! Keep firing!"
The mechanical dog, still scanning the area, detected multiple strong life signals in the flames. Among them was one signal that blazed brighter than all the others. "Reloading!"
The five Ant and Spiders closest to the warehouse paused to replenish their ammunition, retreating to supply trucks. Simultaneously, the beasts on the high ground completed their missile reload and launched another devastating volley. Dozens of micro-missiles screamed through the sky, raining down like a hailstorm onto the burning warehouse.
As the second wave of explosions rocked the area, new figures emerged from the flames. Several Lords and a massive silver-backed zombie roared in defiance, their forms silhouetted against the fire.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The explosions came one after another, shaking the ground and filling the air with thick smoke and the acrid stench of burning chemicals. The warehouse containers caught fire, adding to the chaos as flames climbed higher, consuming everything in their wake. Several fighters, already battered and bruised, couldn't withstand this relentless bombardment. Their massive bodies were torn apart, leaving behind only scattered, charred remains. Yet, despite the destruction, there was no scent of blood—only smoke and the bitter tang of burning materials.